Cognitive Interview | The Investigative Interview Institute

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The Illusion of Understanding

Language is an imperfect means of communicating human experience. What is said, what is meant, and what is understood are not necessarily the same. In high-stakes investigative interviews, seemingly clear statements can conceal uncertainty about perceptions, memories, and reasoning. Drawing on research in cognitive psychology, linguistics, and the Cognitive Interview, this article explores how assumptions, ambiguous language, and question wording can create an illusion of und

Michael Albin

10 min read

Lindsay Clancy case and Cognitive Interview analysis examining human memory, repeated recall, and the scientific limitations of retrospective recollection.

The Lindsay Clancy Case and the Cognitive Interview: What Memory Science Can—and Cannot—Tell Us

The Lindsay Clancy case presents an unusual opportunity for public education about memory science. During a nationally followed criminal trial, attorneys and expert witnesses discussed detailed retrospective interviewing, chronological and reverse-order recall, psychiatric evaluation, and competing interpretations of autobiographical accounts made over several years. Those features naturally invite questions about the Cognitive Interview.

Michael Albin

18 min read

Discover the power of interview training with The Investigative Interview Institute® - The Geiselman Group. Our expert-led programs teach you evidence-based techniques, such as the Cognitive Interview, Enhanced Cognitive Interview, and the Veritas Method®, to help professionals gather accurate, court-defensible statements. Our training combines decades of research with practical strategies to ensure success. Upgrade your skills with our comprehensive interview training, designed for law enforcement, legal professionals, healthcare professionals, and anyone looking to improve their interviewing capabilities.

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The Illusion of Understanding

The Lindsay Clancy Case and the Cognitive Interview: What Memory Science Can—and Cannot—Tell Us